When I was a very little girl, I watched my Granny, seated in her rocking chair, softly reciting her prayers to Mother Mary. Her hands rhythmically moved over the beads of her rosary, one bead, then the next and the next. Many years later, I’ve observed the hands of Buddhist monks gliding over their japa maala beads and Muslims utilizing the misbaha beads to ground their energy as they prayed.
As this year draws to a close, amidst the discord in our world, I have deepened my appreciation for this practice that is shared by many of the world’s great religions, because there are times when events are so unsettling that clear thoughts elude me. My words fail.
So I take refuge in scripture and prayers that have carried me through many challenging times, or I turn to a simple affirmation or a quality of God and I speak and read and whisper silently as I touch Granny’s 100 year old rosary beads.
With each prayer, I center more deeply into the Divine Truth that is eternal now. I draw upon the universal spiritual principles that sustain my life, all Life, all of Creation. I remember that God is the greatest! I remember the nature of God is Absolute; the nature of God is Love. The nature of God is Power, the only power—the power of Love–this love being the incorruptible essence of every human being. I know, no matter what appears to be, God/Love prevails, forever evolving Itself into greater Good..
My prayers speak Life. My word creates space for a way to be made where there seems to be no way. My word activates the infinite possibilities for Good to manifest now. And my word is a healing, revealing power of God’s grace and mercy. Words of Truth are a universal blessing upon God’s creation. My fingers move to the next prayer bead. Let peace prevail on Earth.
Affirmation: Let me speak Truth, live Truth, serve Truth. Let me be an instrument of God’s Love.
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.”
–Prayer of St. Francis
